What Does the 🙏 Praying Hands Emoji Mean & How Do You Use It?

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Incorporate this emoji into your texts (with examples)

Co-authored by Marcus Pruitt, BS Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: September 26, 2025 Fact Checked

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🙏 (Praying Hands) Emoji Meanings

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Using 🙏

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Curious about what the 🙏 (praying hands) emoji really means? Also known as the folded hands emoji, this emoji can symbolize many things depending on context. We’ve put together an easy guide, so keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the 🙏 (praying hands) emoji, including what it means and how to use it.

🙏 (Praying Hands) Meaning

The 🙏 (praying hands) emoji is commonly used as a religious symbol, representing prayer, hope, and spirituality. It also means gratitude and respect, specifically in Japanese culture, where it symbolizes the act of bowing. The 🙏 (praying hands) emoji also represents begging. It’s less commonly used as a high-five.

Section 1 of 3:

🙏 (Praying Hands) Emoji Meanings

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The 🙏 emoji typically represents praying. A 🙏 is most commonly known as a religious symbol. It is a sign of hope and spirituality. Someone may use this emoji after sending well wishes or talking about their religious beliefs.^{[1]
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- Example: “We are praying for a fast recovery 🙏💕”
- Example: “Can’t wait for Sunday’s service! ✝️🙏”
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The 🙏 emoji means gratitude and thankfulness. A 🙏 may be added to a thankful message to show appreciation. This symbol of hope says “please” or “thank you” in Japanese culture or “namaste” in Indian cultures. Because of this, 🙏 can be used when expressing everyday gratitude.^{[2]
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- Example: “Beyond thankful for these guys 🥰🙏”
- Example: “Blessed to have this view for morning yoga 🧘🙏🌳”
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The 🙏 emoji also represents a friendly greeting. In Japanese culture, a 🙏 can represent a polite “hello” or “goodbye.” This emoji symbolizes the act of bowing when meeting or leaving.
- Example: “It’s so great to virtually meet you 🙏😃”
- Example: “Have a good day! 😊🙏”
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The 🙏 emoji also means to beg. You may receive a 🙏 emoji when someone is begging you for something or pleading with you, just as they would in real life. With this meaning, it’s as if they’re virtually dropping to their knees, praying and pleading with you to do what they ask. Whether they’re being serious or lighthearted, the meaning is still the same when used in this sense.
- Example: “Bro I’m begging you to come on this two man with me 🙏 She said her friend is bad so you don’t even gotta worry. Please bro 🙏”
- Example: “Please send me the homework answers bro 🙏 I’m gonna fail if you don’t 😭🙏”
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The 🙏 emoji is also used as a high-five. Your friend may send you a 🙏 when they’re proud of you. Since they’re not with you IRL, they can give you a virtual high-five. This usage is up for debate. Some people argue that the emoji shows two different people’s hands coming together for a high-five, while others believe they’re one person’s hands held together in prayer.
- Example: “Proud of you dude 🙏”
- Example: “We’re in this together! 🙏”

Section 2 of 3:

How to Use the 🙏 (Praying Hands) Emoji

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When you’re praying, use the 🙏 emoji. If you’re sending an encouraging message or hopeful wishes, add a 🙏 to the end of your message. This shows that you’re praying or hoping for the best outcome. You can also use the 🙏 in this context when talking about religion.
- Example: “I can’t believe this happened. It’s devastating 🙏💔”
- Example: “I’m praying for you and your family. God will help guide you 💖🙏”
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Use the 🙏 to show that you’re grateful. Use a 🙏 when you’re showing appreciation or thanks. Maybe you're expressing gratitude for a friend, teacher, or relative. Add a 🙏 to your message to emphasize positive feelings.
- Example: “Don’t know where I’d be without these guys ❤️🙏”
- Example: “So thankful for the Class of 2021 🙏🎓🎉”
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Use the 🙏 emoji when you’re greeting someone. Send a 🙏 as a polite hello or even a goodbye. The praying hands emoji is a representation of a traditional Japanese greeting. Use this emoji to set a good impression and spread a little positivity.
- Example: “Hi! My name’s Sally. It’s so nice to meet you 😊🙏”
- Example: “I hope you have a great weekend 😄🙏”
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Use the 🙏 emoji to beg for something. When you’re in dire need of some help, advice, or support from a friend or someone you’re acquainted with, use the 🙏 emoji to beg and plead with them. The praying hands emoji can let them know that you’re in genuine need of their help, no matter how big or small the situation.
- Example: “Man, please come out to this party with me 🙏 I don’t know many people here and I could really use a buddy.”
- Example: “Please take me back 🙏 I know I cheated and got kicked out of the program, but I need this job 🙏 I’ll do anything!”
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When you would give someone a high-five IRL, use the 🙏 emoji. Encourage a friend with a virtual high-five when they’re feeling low. The hand-slapping gesture can put anyone in a good mood, so use the 🙏 to send along some positive vibes! Throw it into a conversation where you would give out a high-five in real life.^{[3]
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- Example: “That’s epic! Give me five, bro! 😆🙏”
- Example: “This is fantastic 🙏”

Section 3 of 3:

Where the 🙏 (Praying Hands) Emoji Comes From

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The 🙏 emoji was introduced with Unicode 6.0 in 2010. Unicode is an encoding system that assigns a specific numerical value to characters and emojis.^{[4]
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Research source} The 🙏 (praying hands) emoji was introduced to Unicode with the arrival of Unicode 6.0 in 2010, but it didn’t become mainstream until the release of Emoji 1.0 in 2015. Once Emoji 1.0 was released, the 🙏 (praying hands) emoji became widely available to smartphone users.